New York State Historic Month Tuesday Talks Series Planned for Schoharie Crossing

FORT HUNTER –  Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site announces their 9th Annual Tuesday Talks lecture series for New York State History Month this October. The Erie Canal historic site will host four presenters on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm to recognize the significant history across the state.  These programs cover a wide range of topics spanning more than two centuries.

Tuesday Talks begins on October 1st with Jerry Snyder, an independent historian who will explore the history of postcards on World Postcard Day. He will discuss the manufacturing, mailing, and the content of postcards from his vast collection. The program explores the history of postcards which traces their evolution, the various types, and shows how to identify/date them, and will include a selection of historical cards from around the area with a little information about each of the subjects portrayed.

Then on Tuesday, October 8th, Ian Mumpton from Johnson Hall State Historic Site will present "Stroud and Silver, Beaver and Bear: The Fur Trade and Diplomacy on the Borderlands!" The program looks at the borderlands between the Six Nations and the British Empire in the 1760’s.  Ian will demonstrate how trade and diplomacy were inextricably linked, with the fur trade holding the key to wealth and diplomatic power. During this program, attendees can see and touch reproductions of 18th century trade items and learn about what was traded, as well as the role of the British Indian Department in facilitating and regulating this trade.

Tuesday, October 15th the site will host Iehnhotonkwas Bonnie Jane Maracle, Wolf Clan, Mohawk Nation at Tyendinaga Territory, who will speak from the perspective of a descendant of the Fort Hunter Mohawks. Maracle will discuss the history and community of these people whose ancestral homeland lays along the confluence of the Mohawk River and Schoharie Creek.  

The final presentation for the series will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd featuring Samantha Hall-Saladino discussing Urban Renewal in Fulton County.  Her program looks at how, beginning in 1949, the federal government provided grants and loans to cities through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund urban renewal projects. Gloversville undertook some of these projects, for better or for worse.  Hall-Saladino uses newspaper archives, city records, and other resources, to explore the history of Gloversville’s urban renewal projects, from the proposed Midtown Park to the never-completed “ring road.” Learn how these efforts affected the community and take a tour through photos to see just what has changed downtown.

These programs are free and open to the public. Donations toward future programs will be accepted. The series will take place inside the Enders House adjacent to the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum, which is located at 129 Schoharie Street, Fort Hunter, NY 12069; the telephone number is (518) 829-7516 or email: SchoharieCrossing@parks.ny.gov.  The grounds of the site are open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 79.5 million visits in 2022. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Joins us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the OPRHP Blog.